Just caught this on NPR and was reminded of a couple great films: the William Shatner Narrated Trinity and Beyond (The Atomic Bomb Movie) and Nukes in Space: The Rainbow Bombs. Both were excellent docs that featured meticulously restored film footage from US atomic tests on land and in space (and also anywhere else they could make up a reason to blow up). The space tests are particularly (eerily) beautiful, the title Rainbow Bombs is very apt.

Thanks for sharing. Interesting to see how such a destructive and devastating weapon can produce some visually stunning results. Almost reminds me of the northern lights.

For some reason I cannot help but to think all of these tests put a huge strain on the environment, and yet these tests went on for years. (as made apparent by the many sites that are now abandoned and or filled with concrete.)

Shakib Shahriyar says:

Great post! If you ever make it to Las Vegas and are interested in this explosive experiment, check out the Atomic Testing Museum. It has some exhibits and short films on the detonation of the h-bomb in space. I recommend the museum, it has a great collection of artifacts, cold-war pop culture ephemera and displays documenting nuclear testing. Some very frightening and strangely beautiful films and photographs of the 100+ bomb tests on display.http://www.atomictestingmuseum.org/